Friday, October 20, 2006

Army denies joint operations in Myanmar

YORUBA (NAGALAND): The Indian army on Thursday denied reports of joint operations in Myanmar to flush out camps of north-east insurgent groups, but was optimistic about positive reaction from the military junta towards India's sensitivities. I am not aware of any joint operation inside Myanmar," GOC of Army's 3 corps," Lt Gen M S Dadwal told newsmen here when his attention was drawn to recent media reports that the Indian army along with Myanmar had launched joint operations to flush out militant groups camping in jungles on other side of the 1,640 km long international border.

Asked about the number of camps set up by such groups in Myanmar, Lt Gen Dadwal said, "offhand, it is difficult to give the exact number of camps, because these groups frequently change their camps. Due to various factors, they sometimes close down camps at one place and shift to some other place.. but we keep them (Myanmar army) informed about the movements of militant groups."

The General hoped that the Government of Myanmar would react positively and undertake actions against such groups responding to Indian sensitiveness, since New Delhi has conveyed its serious concern to the neighbouring country time and again.

"Government of India, at various levels, has been in touch with the Myanmar government. Our sensitivities have been conveyed to them, so I suppose, Myanmar will react positively and come up with actions," the army commander, who looks after Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and southern Assam, said.